HONOLULU, October 27, 2025 — Norman Skorge of Honolulu will travel to Washington, D.C., this week to urge Congress to fund the lifesaving HEARTS Act — legislation designed to ensure every school is prepared to respond to a cardiac emergency. He will join the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, and advocates from across the country as part of the American Heart Association Heart Powered grassroots advocacy network.

On Capitol Hill, Skorge and fellow advocates will share their personal stories and call on lawmakers on October 28, to fund the HEARTS Act through the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process — turning lifesaving legislation into lifesaving action. The law, passed unanimously in 2024, created a grant program at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help K–12 schools:

  • Train students and staff in CPR
  • Purchase and maintain automated external defibrillators (AEDs)
  • Develop cardiac emergency response plans

The program also supports research into cardiomyopathy and other conditions that cause cardiac arrest in youth.

For Norman Skorge, the mission is personal. At age 54, with no prior symptoms, he suffered a heart attack while swimming, the result of a 90% blocked artery that had gone undetected. His heart stopped for nearly eight minutes before being revived by an AED.

“I’m here today because of bystander CPR and fast EMS response. I’m extremely lucky to be alive,” said Skorge. “No one ever thinks a cardiac emergency will happen to themselves, their loved ones or their classmates – until it does.”

A 23-year veteran lifeguard with Ocean Safety in Honolulu, Skorge has responded to numerous CPR emergencies throughout his career. His experience gives him a unique perspective – as both a rescuer and a survivor and fuels his advocacy for stronger cardiac emergency preparedness in schools and communities.

Each year, more than 356,000 people in the U.S. experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital, including more than 23,000 children. Every minute without CPR reduces the chance of survival by 10% — but quick action can double or even triple survival rates.

“Survival from cardiac arrest shouldn’t depend on luck or location,” said Michael Tanoue, M.D., American Heart Association Hawai’i board president and cardiologist at The Queen’s Heart Institute. “When people are trained and AEDs are within reach, a life that could have been lost becomes a life saved.”

The American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers™ initiative aims to double cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030.

“By funding the HEARTS Act, Congress can help build a Nation of Lifesavers — one student, one school, one community at a time,” said Jamie Morgan, region senior director, field advocacy for the American Heart Association. “This investment will ensure more people are ready to act in every classroom, school gym and hallway across the country.”

Advocates across the country can join the effort by texting ‘AED’ to 46839 to urge Congress to fund the HEARTS Act.

 

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.   

 

For Media Inquiries:
Megan Davidson: megan.davidson@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org